The mission of the Carroll County Open Campus High School is to serve as an alternative and a complement to the traditional high school program.  Our goal is to ensure the success of students who may, for a variety of reasons, be unlikely to reach their potential in a traditional setting.  Our program is grounded in the uniqueness and inherent worth of the individual student.  We believe that every student possesses the ability to become a self-confident, independent learner.  Our goal is for each of our students to experience a sense of accomplishment, a feeling of belonging, and to find confidence in setting goals and making life decisions.  Therefore, our mission statement is "providing opportunities for student success".

As a school of choice, discipline is held to a higher standard at Open Campus High School.  The school operates much like a junior college or technical school in that adult privileges are offered in exchange for adult conduct.  Students at OCHS are under the rules of the Carroll County School System in regards to conduct and our expectations are high.  If a shared student breaks the rules at OCHS, the student may face disciplinary action at both at OCHS and his/her home school.  The system rules of conduct may be found on the Carroll County website and on our school website.